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Message to the citizens of Jackson County
Over the past few weeks you have undoubtedly read in the paper or heard on the radio about the conflict between the Board of Commissioners, the Economic Development Commission, and the Airport Authority, at the outset of which, the board attempted to remove me from the EDC and without authority removed me from the Airport Authority. My name in particular has been singled out during this distressing course of events.
I was born and raised in Jackson County and am proud of it. My family settled here more than 200 years ago. During my time here I have worked hard to reflect the values of our community and to give something back. I have been an active member of my church for years, serving as a Sunday school teacher and in numerous leadership roles. I’ve also freely given my time to serve groups such as the EDC and Airport Authority with which my community has asked me to help. I have no financial stake in nor do I receive compensation from any of these groups – rather, I have wanted to do anything that I could to help make our community a better place. I want the children of our county – my children and grandchildren and your children and grandchildren – to have employment and career opportunities so they can remain in the area if they desire and have a chance for a bright economic future here at home. That is my reason for serving and has been the focus of my career.
Many of the attacks on me have been personal and the motivations questionable. None of the Board of Commissioners or anyone representing them has asked to talk to me concerning any of the questions that have arisen. Nor did anyone discuss these matters with any of the other members who devote their time to these boards (which includes many of our elected town leaders). Instead, the commissioners sent two senior deputies to seize, illegally, EDC records and deliver letters from Commissioners’ Chairman Stacy Buchanan saying that I had been removed from all county boards, committees and commissions. There was no explanation, and none has ever been provided to me. The deputies advised me that I should call Chairman Buchanan for information, but when I did, he refused all of my calls.
Thankfully, this newspaper in its Jan. 27 editorial pointed out that my removal by the Board of Commissioners disregarded the state Open Meetings Law and that the Board’s seizure of EDC records disregarded the municipalities and institutions that joined with the county as partners a dozen years ago to create the EDC. Why would our Board of Commissioners refuse to act in the open and refuse to consult with other affected EDC partners about any question that might arise?
Moreover, I serve on the EDC board at the pleasure of Western Carolina University, one of the EDC’s partners; therefore, the Board of Commissioners had no authority whatsoever to remove me from the EDC board. Neither did they have the authority to take over the EDC as they attempted to do.
Also, the auditor found no monies lining anyone’s pockets, much less mine, nor any monies being spent other than for proper purposes of the EDC. I have never had any financial stake in the EDC or the Airport Authority, but rather have invested hundreds of volunteer hours to serve on those boards. I am only surprised that no one has asked the county official in charge of taking EDC minutes why her duties went unperformed.
I hope the public, for whom I volunteer, understands that the Jackson Development Corporation is the property-owning offshoot of the EDC, as this newspaper has reported, and acts on the EDC’s goals. I expect the EDC board should and would have complained if Jackson Development was operating otherwise.
In regard to the Airport Authority, I contacted the Institute of Government in Chapel Hill, the agency that advises local governments on issues such as this, and was informed that the commissioners acted without statutory authority. My reading of the state law establishing the Airport Authority indicated that the law did not allow the Board to remove me without prior notice and an opportunity to defend myself. They must first conduct a hearing and show cause prior to attempting to remove one from a board or commission to which one has been appointed. The Board of Commissioners never attempted to offer a hearing on whether there actually was just cause for my removal. In other words, the Board ran roughshod over my rights. Why should anyone volunteer for public service and be treated this way?
It saddens me that these issues have been so greatly blown out of proportion. I am sad not for myself but for the hardship that the slander has put on my family – my wife, children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and my mother. Also, it is painful to see falsely motivated actions derail or slow down much of the progress our community has been working toward. Together we’ve helped retain and create more than 150 jobs, not to mention the millions that have been generated for the local – county and town – economies. We have worked to revitalize the Jackson County Airport to make it an asset to the people, to commerce and to the economic vitality of this area. The forward momentum and progress in many areas has been slowed, damaged and in some cases, stopped, by the intrusive and abusive activities of the Board of Commissioners.
I appreciate the outpouring of support and prayers that many of you have shown my family and me. The recent hurtful actions naturally make one want to pull back from being involved, but I thank all the friends, pastors, community members and elected town leaders who have let me know that even though I never sought a spotlight, that what I have done to give back to the community over my life has made a positive impact despite the negative things a few would say.
I sincerely hope that everything is cleared up soon and intend to do my part to help. Once again, thank you to all the good people of Jackson County whose displays of kindness and support motivate me onward.
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